Are there any fungus experts out there?

[annew]

A friend found these earthstars growing in the bottom of her hedge near the bottom of an old tree stump (probably Ash) in North Yorkshire. I can't find anything to match in any of our fungus books or on Google. Any ideas anyone?

[David Nicholson]

Anne, are you sure it's not ET back for a visit

[David Shaw]

Are you sure that he neighbours children didn't make those at playgroup, Anne Two separate pieces of fungus and a match stick.

[David Pilling]

I only know what Google suggests - "Geastrum fornicatum"

[annew]

G. fornicatum doesn't seem to have the pointed opening to the spore capsule. Also the 'arms' are very thin and papery on this specimen, and the whole thing is completely detached from the ground.

[Ulla Hansson]

Hi Anne,
I think your fungus can be a Geastrum pectinatum.

[David Lyttle]

Hi Anne,

I can not suggest a species name for your Geastrum but they look a bit past their best. Here are two New Zealand examples of the genus.

[annew]

Thanks, folks. Still not convinced! It's the papery 'arms' that seem to distinguish this one from any I've looked at so far.

[Maggi Young]

Okay... what about Geastrum striatum, then??
see this pic....     http://www.grzyby.pl/foto/kk/kk-DSCF1209.jpg  ( Edit: this  link may only work if you copy and paste the link into another open browser page)


I think the paperyness comes as the thing ages, though.... the G. pectinatum "arms"  get thinner and more papery as they age and detach from the ground, too, I think...

[annew]

Can't open that link, Maggi.

[Maggi Young]

Sorry, Anne, try this one: http://www.grzyby.pl/gatunki/Geastrum_striatum.htm

or this one: http://www.grzyby.pl/foto/06-060627-8246.htm


I cannot open the first link I gave in my post above ( November 04, 2008, 12:11:25 PM) either, though I can if I copy and paste it into another browser page ...... strange.

[annew]

I've sent a specimen to our local fungus recorder to look at. Watch this space!